Spurs sweep Lakers

San Antonio stomps Los Angeles 103-82

LOS ANGELES -- The San Antonio Spurs stomped all over the decimated and drama-filled Los Angeles Lakers 103-82 Sunday at Staples Center to claim a 4-0 sweep in their Western Conference playoff quarterfinal series.

In a Los Angeles season chock full of losses and lunacy, the last game was little different than the other 85, as much about Lakers' dysfunction as the Spurs' dominance.

San Antonio led by nine less than five minutes into the game, had an 18-point halftime lead and moved in front by as much as 22 in the third quarter as the Lakers' hobbled roster was no match for the Spurs' balance.

By then, Los Angeles was not only without Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Metta World Peace and Jodie Meeks, but also Dwight Howard.

The center was ejected after picking up his second technical foul with 9 minutes, 51 seconds left in the third quarter, exiting the game to little hurrah. Bryant then limped out to the floor, on crutches due to his torn Achilles tendon, emerging from the locker room to a standing ovation before taking his seat behind the bench.

Even with Bryant and Co., the Lakers may not have been able to overcome a Spurs team playing some of its best basketball of the season.

San Antonio forced 22 turnovers and held Los Angeles to 29.4 percent 3-point shooting. The Lakers also hurt their cause with 41.7 percent free-throw shooting.

The Spurs held the Los Angeles backcourt of Darius Morris and Andrew Goudelock to 22 points after allowing 44 points in a 31-point win Friday.

Tony Parker had 23 points to lead San Antonio, which had five players in double-figures. Kawhi Leonard and DeJuan Blair added 13 apiece for the Spurs.

Pau Gasol had 16 points and eight rebounds to lead Los Angeles. Goudelock had 14 points, and Antawn Jamison added 12 off the bench.

NOTES: While the Lakers were without a bevy of players, San Antonio was without Tiago Splitter (ankle), Boris Diaw (back) and the recently signed Tracy McGrady. ... San Antonio won the regular-season series 2-1 after also taking two of three from Los Angeles last season. All three regular-season games between the two teams were decided by fewer than six points: two- and three- point Spurs wins and a five-point Lakers home win on April 14. ... The Spurs and Lakers have met in the playoffs 11 times, the most for San Antonio against another opponent. ... Los Angeles have won 38 of 49 first-round series since moving from Minneapolis. ... The Lakers entered the game with an 81 percent playoff home winning percentage since moving to Staples Center. ... Both teams finished the regular season ranked in the top six in the NBA in scoring (San Antonio, fourth, 103 ppg; Los Angeles, sixth, 102.2 ppg) but the Spurs were also ranked in the top 10 in opposing scoring, while the Lakers ranked 24th. ... Duncan is the all-time leader in playoff defensive rebounds with 1,696.